Newly built dike portion on Busuanga River gives way

A portion of a newly built dike in Busuanga River in Occidental Mindoro has already collapsed months after its construction was finished this year.  

According to Maki Pulido’s report in “24 Oras” on Friday, there are 105 flood control projects in the province with a total value of P8.6 billion per data in Sumbong sa Pangulo website. 

The said dike project in Busuanga River was divided into six packages shared by four construction companies. 

Barangay officials said the portion of the dike was damaged due to the strong current of the river. 

“Nagsimula ang proyekto na ito 2023 hanggang sa kasalukuyan na gumagawa ang proyektong ito,” said  Ruben Laredo, barangay captain of Barangay San Pedro in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro. 

(This project started in 2023 and up to now, they are still working on this project.) 

The dike portions were not even connected with each other which would cause the water to overflow.

When Laredo asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on why the dike is not complete, he was told the budget was short. 

“Tinanong ko minsan yung engineer ng DPWH, hindi nadugtong ang projects na ito magkasunod dahil sa kumapos ang pondo dahil sa kanilang design,” the barangay captain said. 

(I once asked the DPWH engineer why these projects weren't connected, and I was told that the funds ran out due to their design.) 

Just like in the nearby Oriental Mindoro, Sunwest Incorporated also secured the largest budget for flood projects in Occidental Mindoro with over P1 billion. 

Due to the lack of coordination and signage on the details of the project, the local government has limited information about the project. 

“Iba-iba yung design, may manipis, mababa, kasunod mahaba, tapos may putol. Iba-iba yung lapad,” said Occidental Mindoro Mayor Sonny Pablo. 

(The designs are inconsistent; some parts are thin, some are low, some are long, then some are cut off. The width varies.) 

The residents of Rizal called out the people behind flood control projects to consider their welfare, especially their crops. 

“Ang pakiusap ko lang po ay sana sa mga may project po dito, sana ayusin nang maayusin para maiwasan na po yung nararanasan namin na baha,” said resident Leonida Banghero. 

(My only plea to the people with projects here is to please do a proper job so we can avoid the flooding that we experience.) 

In a statement, Sunwest denied allegations that its dike projects collapsed.

The company said that aside from the crack at the dike in Barangay Aguas, its other flood control projects in the towns of Rizal and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro had no damage.

It said the crack on the dike in Barangay Aguas only measured three to four meters. This is less than one percent of the project which measures 567 meters.

In a statement, Sunwest denied allegations that its dike projects collapsed.

The company said that aside from the crack at the dike in Barangay Aguas, its other flood control projects in the towns of Rizal and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro had no damage.

It said the crack on the dike in Barangay Aguas only measured three to four meters. This is less than one percent of the project which measures 567 meters. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News